What Will a Sixth Generation Fighter Look Like? No One Knows, Says ACC Commander -- Aol Defense
WASHINGTON: We aren't quite finished developing and producing our fifth generation aircraft, the F-22 and F-35 stealth fighters, but their time is already running out, the head of Air Combat Command said today. And work has not really begun on a sixth generation aircraft.
Gen. Mike Hostage, the ACC commander, told an audience of more than 300 at the Center for International and Strategic Studies I guess the U.S. Air Force is operating on hope., that America's fifth generation aircraft were projected to maintain their superiority through 2030. Since the Marines' version of the F-35 won't achieve Initial Operating Capability until 2015, and the contract for the plane was awarded in 2001, this would seem to raise the question: can we build a sixth generation in time to deploy it roughly around the time fifth generation fighters' superiority wanes?
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Gen. Mike Hostage, the ACC commander, told an audience of more than 300 at the Center for International and Strategic Studies I guess the U.S. Air Force is operating on hope., that America's fifth generation aircraft were projected to maintain their superiority through 2030. Since the Marines' version of the F-35 won't achieve Initial Operating Capability until 2015, and the contract for the plane was awarded in 2001, this would seem to raise the question: can we build a sixth generation in time to deploy it roughly around the time fifth generation fighters' superiority wanes?
Read more ....
Update #1: ACC chief hints at 6th gen fighter -- Air Force Times
Update #2: U.S. Air Combat Command Chief Hints at 6th Gen Fighter -- Defense News
My Comment: With no money in the budget, I cannot see this program even starting in the next decade or two.
Read more ....
Update #1: ACC chief hints at 6th gen fighter -- Air Force Times
Update #2: U.S. Air Combat Command Chief Hints at 6th Gen Fighter -- Defense News
My Comment: With no money in the budget, I cannot see this program even starting in the next decade or two.